This is how I think the second half of the season will shape up for the Atlanta Falcons…

Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons

A playoff rematch is big for the Falcons, this is one of those games that will earn them respect if they can win it. With great offenses on both sides this game will be about who plays better defensively. Who can get the big stops will be the deciding factor in this one. Even though this game is at home and i hate to say this, I am going to give this game to the Hawks. They are gonna have that chip on their shoulder and win a good game 27-21 LOSS

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa will be at home in this one which will give them a better shot the second time around. Division games can also be tricky because your record doesn’t matter as much. This is the worst team in the division though if you ask me so I don’t see them besting the Falcons. Atlanta takes this one 21-17 WIN

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

Thursday Night was very interesting between these teams last year to say the least. Eggs thrown at the Saints us, 4 interceptions from Drew Brees and his Touchdown streak finally ended. I wonder what is going to be in store this year at the Georgia Dome for the Thursday night rematch. The Saints publicly stated they think of Atlanta as their little brother early last season. Atlanta countered by beating them up the next time the two teams met. More of that to come this year, I think Atlanta finally gets the best of their rivals this year and take 2 wins. 31-17 WIN

Atlanta Falcons @ Buffalo Bills

Oh Canada! Being from Canada I can not wait to see this game. It will be the first cold weather game of the season for the Falcons which will be about the only factor working against them in this one. Unless CJ Spiller can rush for 300 yards and 4 TD’s I don’t see it happening for the Bills. 17-7 WIN

Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers

Two games on the road in cold weather for the Falcons Spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
Especially when its Aaron Rodgers working against you. Don’t get me wrong however, I think it is very possible for Atlanta to win this game but I am gonna give it to Green Bay 24-14 LOSS

Washington Redskins @ Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons will be beat up by week 15 but RGIII should be worse.The Redskins might even get conservative in this game and try to keep the young QB from tucking and running the ball. Atlanta played a sound game against Washington on the road last year so I am gonna take them on the road. 28-20 WIN

Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers

Players and fans alike are circling this game on the calendar, including myself. I plan on going to this game and i expect the victory for the same reason I picked Seattle to beat us. Hands down this is the single most important game on the schedule this year; away from home, late in the season, potential home field advantage on the line and a rematch of the NFC championship game last season. This one is going to be a thriller and its hard to pick with it coming so late in the season. I am very confident though if the Atlanta Falcons are in good shape they will make this game their best of the season winning it 31-17. WIN

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

After another sub par season for the panthers I see them trying to finish strong against Atlanta. Depending on The playoff implications I see Atlanta resting their starters in the 2nd half opening the door for Carolina to take this one 24-17. LOSS

I Just want everyone to know I am going off of what I see the team doing for the entire season. I am picking Atlanta to go 13-3 (even though I have them losing 4), I am-picking a 5-1 division record and i see them splitting games between the Seahawks and the 49ers. This is just a breakdown of how I see the season playing out to get us to that point. I think the Atlanta Falcons have the potential to do better but also with injuries or poor play do worse. Who knows in the NFL only time will tell

Give me your feedback, I  am curious to see how other fans see the season going for the falcons.Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Link to first half predictions:

http://bloggingdirty.com/2013/05/15/atlanta-falcons-1st-half-schedule-predictions/

Even though we are still 4 months away from the 2013 season getting underwait’s never too early to predict how well the Atlanta Falcons will do next year starting with the first half of the season.

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

The dirty birds begin their 2013 season on the road and even more interesting, against the rival Saints. Sean Payton will be returning to coach the Saints making this game a little bit unpredictable. I see both teams playing to prove they’re the top dog in the NFC South but this will be the first game back after a very disappointing loss last year in the NFC Championship game for Atlanta. So I have to give the edge to the Falcons it will be a fun game to watch but I think Atlanta takes it 28-24 WIN

St. Louis Rams @ Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta will get their home opener in week 2 but whats more important than that is they will raise their NFC South Championship banner before the game. The biggest story however will be Steven Jackson playing against his former team. Look for Jackson to have a huge impact in this game even though it wasn’t a messy break for either side Steven Jackson will work extra hard in this game to beat his former team. Atlanta will have a strong game against the Rams taking the victory 27-13. WIN

Atlanta Falcons @ Miami Dolphins

Miami has made a ton of noise this offseason and has really improved their roster. The experience of Matt Ryan will be the difference maker in this game though if you ask me. I do see Mike Wallace having a big game though which will make it close but Atlanta wins 24-17 WIN

New England Patriots @ Atlanta Falcons

Prime time begins in week 4 against the always dangerous Patriots.Tom Brady vs Matt Ryan, Present vs Future. A huge game for the Falcons and if Atlanta wants to win they are going to have to have a great game offensively. Atlanta wont win this game if they don’t pressure Brady and I don’t see this happening therefore I have to give this game to New England 31-21 LOSS

New York Jets @ Atlanta Falcons

Back to back home games meet back to back prime time game for the Georgia Dome in week 5. Jets are a somewhat broken team and they have to come across an Atlanta team who just played one of the best teams in the NFL a week earlier. It all spells out a butt whooping for the Jets. I see this being the game that pushes Sanchez out as the starter we might even see Geno at some point in this game but it will be all about Atlanta winning 31-10. WIN

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

This is a game I could have seen being harder to pick if the circumstances were not so much in the Dirty Birds Favor. Atlanta will play this game in week 7 following their bye week, t will also be 4 weeks since the team has had to travel away from the Georgia Dome. It makes this game a no brainer, Atlanta will show their dominance even if the “good” Buccaneers team shows up for this one. The Falcons take control early and finish strong beating the Bucs 27-17 WIN

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals

The Falcons take flight after a month at home to take on the Cardinals. Matt Ryan had his worst two games last season against the Cardinals and against Carson Palmer.Now that the two are together this does seem to be trouble for the Falcons but I think Matt Ryan makes adjustments and has a better game. I do see a close game here even though the Cardinals are nowhere near as good as Atlanta but I am gonna give Atlanta the fourth quarter victory    24-20. WIN

Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers

Atlanta will travel back east for back to back road games to finish the first half of the season. Cam Newton played great against the Falcons last year but Atlanta has spent time learning how to stop running QB’s this offseason, It all comes down to stopping Cam in this one. Matt will put up points but if Cam has his way with our defense again this year it is his game to win. I have to go with my gut and say the research in the offseason pays off enough to get the ‘W’ 28-24. WIN

The Atlanta Falcons have obviously a tougher schedule then last year but they are still arguably more talented than every team they face this season. I think every game will come down to the Falcons winning or the Falcons letting other teams beat them. No team in the first half of the season should be able to beat Atlanta if they play to their potential. At worst see a 5-3 record after 8 games but definitely there is the chance we see another 8-0 record this season. Only time will tell though.

Link to second half schedule predictions:  http://bloggingdirty.com/2013/05/20/atlanta-falcons-2nd-half-schedule-predictions/

Jan 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith reacts during the second half of the NFC divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Mike Smith has methodically directed a “one step at a time” approach to help the birds Rise Up consistently since 2010. Steven Jackson commented in a recent interview he chose Atlanta In an effort to “Go out on Top“. Veteran receiver Roddy White was quoted this week saying that 2013 is a ‘Super Bowl or Bust’ season for the Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons have made some strides this off-season to get those Ten yards they needed in Januarys NFC Championship game. With eleven draft picks at hand in two weeks they can fill the last couple of holes and add depth support. Instead of Mock Draft number Five (Hundred) I have decided to take a early look at who stands in the flight path of the Birds quest to that coveted Bowl.
First up are the division rivals whom like every team must play twice per year. These are significant games for all teams and they usually, especially in the South division, become a grueling hard fought contest no matter what the records are or on paper analysis reveals. Since the formation in 2002 the NFC South can boast of all four teams taking the title but no team winning that prize in back to back seasons. Atlanta can accomplish that in 2013 for they have gotten younger and slightly improved this past winter where New Orleans, Carolina, and Tampa Bay, whom all finished 2012 at 7 – 9, have stayed at par.
Sean Peyton’s return will help the Saints but a team that gave up over 400 points last year will need a lot of help. The departure of Bushrod leaves a big hole to fill in protecting Brees who is 34 and the cap strapped Saints found out last November 29th on a Thursday night game in the nest that these teams are headed in different directions. The Carolina Panthers had the quietest winter of the South teams, and with leading receiver Steve Smith at 34 they’ll have to have quite the draft to flip that record around to 9-7. Cam Newton was the leading passer and leading rusher on the team in 2012. If a good defense controls him they have a good chance for a ’W’. The hard fought division I mentioned can be told through the Panthers, they could have easily beaten Atlanta twice and they did beat the Saints twice, but with a 7 – 9 record they obviously had trouble with everyone else. The Tampa Bay Bucs found Freeman to Jackson and Doug Martin legit offensive weapons that can give any defense headaches. But with the loss of defensive line starters Miller and Bennett and the possible exit of Barber’s leadership from a secondary that was rated last in the NFL, they may have to be the Florida version of Air Coryell, and unfortunately Freeman just is not up to Dan Fouts status. Tampa also gave the Birds all they could handle in 2012 but were 3 – 5 at home and that’s not going to win this division.
Leaving the Division we visit Nemesis Green Bay and when scheduled will be an important intangible.
Going to Lambeau in October rather than December will be just what the Birds would hope. I found it a surprise that the Pack had no thousand yard receiver last year. They have also had a quiet winter and the loss of Jennings, Walden, Crabtree, Merling, Zombo, and possibly Woodson, Shields and Benson may not thaw the frozen Tundra but Packer fans know they have lost valuable depth .
Atlanta is scheduled to play the AFC ‘Least’ where the Patriots are the only threat, and unlike N.O and Tampa who travel to Foxboro, the Birds get to host the Pats minus one Wes Welker, their leading receiver in 2012 and will welcome a quarterback that is still good, but after playing last season against Kaepernick, Wilson, Vick, RGIII and Cam Newton twice, should enjoy defensively one that never leaves the pocket.
As with the visit to Green Bay, going to Buffalo would be great before December. The Falcons could very well get all four of the AFC conference wins which helps as it did last year with post season seeding.
Last in the way of the Birds are the best of the west, San Francisco and Seattle. Solid teams that have also had a decent winter. Good to have them as division rivals where they will have to beat on each other twice.
I view the Jackson signing as the difference maker against these teams, where Atlanta held January leads and lost them because they had no rushing game. Jackson did well against these teams with little surrounding help. Both these teams are in Atlanta’s bubble, and which team who stays healthy and wins turnover battle will represent the NFC in the bowl most likely. General Jan Dadonna discovered a weakness even with the Death Star battle station, so I looked for one against these West heavyweights and found it odd that both feature a quick to run mobile quarterback, which can be dangerous in the NFL as witnessed with Vick and RGIII, and that both teams have traded away their legit seasoned number two Q.B. Thin Ice ?
Football is a long tough season and playoff teams need good depth. The Falcons with a smart draft at Cornerback and defensive line along with another solid camp and preseason from Dom Davis will have the edge ever so slightly in the depth department among some other area’s. The Bird’s view to the Super Bowl looks good at this point in time, just a tad out of focus. The draft will help clear the Falcon’s vision.